Thursday, 29 August 2013

Naked Lunch may be an
unfamiliar name to most, and with good reason, it's been thirty years
since they were last active. But in that brief time they built up an
impressive live resumé playing alongside the likes of DAF, Cabaret
Voltaire, Fad Gadget, B Movie, and Clock DVA. As well as having an
infamously banned single in the form of 'Rabies' to their name.However, now with a new line-up
completed by multi-instrumentalist Jet Noir and new single 'Alone' in
tow, the band is reinvigorated and ready to cement their legacy.

As a single, 'Alone' is
a very good starting point. Ambient and orchestral, with hanging
synths, semi-whispered vocals and a steady, but danceable beat it has
a definite club appeal whilst retaining the old school punky charm of
the bands batcave origins. The fact that the band have been haunting
the live circuit again for a couple of years prior to this single has
really given them a chance to immerse themselves in what is going on
today in order to naturally evolve their sound. The end result of
which is very promising.

In terms or production
the single may have a decidedly old-school vibe to it. However it is
nicely mixed and doesn't fall into the trap of trying to sound like
their early recordings. Instead it sounds bang up-to-date.

'Alone' is a good first
step for Naked Lunch. It has a lot of different things going on, but
it remains balanced and expertly executed. Hopefully a full-length
album will display the same kind of variety and attention to
detail... and arrive a little sooner this time around.